System for coupling an auxiliary element to a wheelchair

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for coupling an auxiliary element to a wheelchair, said auxiliary element being of the type used to convert a wheelchair into a chair in the form of a tricycle or similar, said system comprising a coupling bar for coupling an auxiliary element and a coupling accessory for coupling an auxiliary element, such that the means for coupling the coupling bar can be fitted into the coupling accessory.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for coupling an auxiliary element to a wheelchair, the auxiliary element adapted to convert the wheelchair into a chair in the form of a tricycle, the system comprising:
 a coupling bar, the coupling bar comprising a profile defining an axis, the profile extending between two opposing ends of a wheelchair frame, 
 a plurality of fasteners for releasably fastening the coupling bar to the wheelchair; 
 wherein each of the plurality of fasteners comprises:
 a tubular projection mounted on the profile such that the entirety of the tubular projection overlaps the profile; and 
 a planar projection formed in one piece with the tubular projection and at least partially overlapping the profile, the planar projection releasably fixed to a clamp, wherein the clamp in turn is configured to be fixed to the wheelchair, 
 
 such that, when the plurality of planar projections are fixed to the clamps and the clamps are fixed to the wheelchair, the entire profile is configured to rotate about its axis, 
 a coupler mounted on the coupling bar and having a plurality of rods mechanically connected to the coupling bar below the profile, 
 a coupling accessory mechanically connected to the auxiliary element, the coupling accessory comprising a plurality of coupling accessory plates spaced substantially parallel to each other and defining therebetween a plurality of recesses; 
 wherein the plurality of rods are sized and shaped to be releasably insertable into and retained in the plurality of recesses; 
 wherein, when the coupling bar is fastened to the wheelchair, insertion of the plurality of rods into the plurality of recesses couples the auxiliary element to the wheelchair. 
 
     
     
       2. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises substantially parallel coupler plates and the plurality of rods are arranged transversely between the coupler plates, the coupler plates being attached to the profile. 
     
     
       3. The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of coupler plates comprises two parallel plates defining a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the axis of the profile, and wherein the plurality of rods comprises two rods which are arranged perpendicular to the two parallel plates and parallel to the axis of the profile. 
     
     
       4. The system according to  claim 2 , wherein ends of the plurality of rods are arranged transversely between the plurality of coupler plates and extend axially beyond the plurality of coupler plates along the axis of the profile. 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the profile has a substantially tubular arrangement. 
     
     
       6. The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the tubular projections are annular and further comprising locks defining rings which are annular and are mounted on said tubular projections, the rings configured to be tightened on the tubular projections of the hinges and thereby tighten the tubular projections onto the profile. 
     
     
       7. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener is configured to be releasably fixed to the clamps with screwing elements. 
     
     
       8. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener is configured to slide along the profile relative to an end of the coupling bar. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rods are coplanar with one another and arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the profile. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling bar comprises a single substantially tubular profile. 
     
     
       11. A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the profile is rotatable around its axis. 
     
     
       12. A system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the profile is rotatable around its axis when fastened to the wheelchair. 
     
     
       13. A system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising locks for locking the rotation of the profile.